Biasing circuits for voltage controlled or output circuits

ABSTRACT

A number of biasing circuits for amplifiers including voltage controlled amplifier is presented. Also a number of field effect transistor circuits include voltage controlled attenuators or voltage controlled processing circuits. Example circuits include modulators, lower distortion variable voltage controlled resistors, sine wave to triangle wave converters, and or servo controlled biasing circuits.

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional Ser. No. 62/607,907 filed on Dec. 19, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

One or more inventions and or embodiments belong in the field of biasing circuits typically but not limited to amplifier circuits. Also one or more embodiments relates to Field Effect Transistor (FET) circuits used in providing voltage controlled amplitude circuits, waveform shaping circuits.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments include biasing for voltage controlled circuits such as voltage controlled amplifier(s), voltage controlled(s) multipliers, or voltage controlled quiescent biasing for output stage(s).

One or more embodiments can be included with one or more circuits mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,213 titled “Constant Quiescent Current, Class AB Output Stage” by Ronald Quan, issued on Jul. 3, 1984, and or U.S. Pat. No. 6,617,910 titled “Low Noise Analog Multiplier Utilizing Nonlinear Local Feedback Elements” by Ronald Quan, issued on Sep. 9, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,213 titled “Constant Quiescent Current, Class AB Output Stage” by Ronald Quan, issued on Jul. 3, 1984, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,617,910 titled “Low Noise Analog Multiplier Utilizing Nonlinear Local Feedback Elements” by Ronald Quan, issued on Sep. 9, 2001, which are all incorporated by reference.

The one or more embodiments are included in one or more of the following:

A) As a voltage reference circuit such as a VBE (voltage base-emitter) multiplier or VGS (voltage gate to source) multiplier.

B) A variable or voltage controlled voltage reference multiplier circuit using a field effect transistor or bipolar transistor

C) A voltage reference circuit such that includes #1 and or #2 above and further including one or more amplifiers. The one or more amplifiers includes improves the voltage reference circuit in terms of distortion and or noise in a voltage controlled circuit, or the one or more amplifiers improves the voltage reference circuit from having extraneous AC and or DC currents.

D) A voltage reference circuit mentioned in A, B, and or C (e.g., above) may be included in a voltage controlled amplifier, an amplifier, mixer, multiplier, and or modulator.

E) A voltage reference circuit may be used in circuit for biasing output devices in an amplifier.

F) A voltage reference circuit may be used with a zero crossing circuit or (e.g., with) any circuit combination mentioned in U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,213 titled “Constant Quiescent Current, Class AB Output Stage” by Ronald Quan, issued on Jul. 3, 1984. For example a circuit to provide a stable quiescent bias currents for one or more output devices in an electronic circuit (e.g., an amplifier or other circuit).

In one embodiment is to provide a lower distortion voltage controlled resistor via an FET, an isolation amplifier or a buffer amplifier was required. For example with a junction FET or JFET, the inclusion of a buffer amplifier did not provide as a substantial difference in lowering distortion when compared to using a MOS (Metal Oxide Silicon) FET or MOSFET. In another example, the inclusion of a buffer amplifier for a depletion mode FET did not provide as a substantial difference in lowering distortion when compared to using an enhancement mode FET. An example such as a DMOS or enhancement mode device such as a SD5000 family of FETs showed much more improvement in reducing or lowering nonlinear distortion (e.g., lowering or reducing harmonic distortion and or lowering or reducing intermodulation distortion) with an amplifier feedback circuit when compared to using feedback network without an amplifier.

One or more embodiments may include the following:

-   -   1) An improved voltage controlled resistor including an         amplifier.     -   2) A waveshaping circuit that includes a sinewave to triangle         converter circuit.     -   3) A multiple FET circuit including a feedback circuit to         provide a substantially predetermined drain to source resistance         or to provide a predetermined amount of attenuation or gain.     -   4) An amplitude modulator circuit and or a multiplier circuit         and or mixing circuit with triangle wave modulation at its         output when an input signal is a sine-wave.     -   5) A sinewave to triangle wave converter that is substantially         frequency independent.     -   6) A voltage controlled inductor using one or more FET devices         for lower distortion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a prior art JFET voltage controlled resistor circuit.

FIG. 2 shows a prior art MOSFET or enhancement mode FET voltage controlled resistor.

FIG. 3 shows a FET voltage controlled resistor for lowered distortion with resistors, which for example can provide for a voltage controlled variable clipping circuit.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment using an enhancement mode FET or MOSFET feedback network.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment using a feedback amplifier with gain of substantially one.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment circuit using enhancement mode FET or MOSFET as a voltage controlled resistor with improved linearity.

FIG. 7A shows a prior art circuit using an amplifier with >1 voltage gain.

FIG. 7B shows an embodiment circuit that improves on the circuit shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment using an example Field Effect Transistors to provide a triangle wave from a sine wave input signal.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a sine wave to triangle wave converter circuit example.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of an FET modulator using feedback elements for lower distortion.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of an FET modulator with improve linearity and or performance (e.g., less leak-through of an input signal (e.g., modulation signal or Vmod) to an output terminal).

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment for a voltage controlled phase shifter.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment for a voltage controlled phase shifter using an enhancement FET or MOSFET with improved linearity or with lower distortion.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment example of a voltage controlled inductor or voltage controlled gyrator with improved linearity.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a bias circuit for a voltage controlled resistor.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a bias circuit for a voltage controlled resistor.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment, a push-pull voltage controlled resistor circuit for increased linearity.

FIG. 18 shows an embodiment, a push-pull voltage controlled resistor circuit with feedback for increased linearity.

FIG. 19 shows another embodiment, a push-pull voltage controlled resistor circuit with feedback for increased linearity using at least one enhancement mode FET or MOSFET.

FIG. 20 shows an example embodiment of an automatic bias circuit for providing one or more pre-determined voltage controlled resistance.

FIG. 21 shows another example embodiment of an automatic bias circuit for providing one or more pre-determined voltage controlled resistance.

FIG. 22 shows another example embodiment of an automatic bias circuit for providing one or more pre-determined voltage controlled resistance that includes a feedback circuit.

FIG. 23 shows a differential amplifier with diode local feedback elements.

FIG. 24 show a differential amplifier with series diodes configured as local feedback elements.

FIG. 25 shows a differential amplifier with transistors Q3 and or Q4 as local feedback elements.

FIG. 26 shows a differential amplifier with local feedback elements including transistors and amplifiers.

FIG. 27 shows a differential amplifier with local feedback elements including transistors and amplifier, further including base driving amplifiers to Q3 and Q4.

FIG. 28 shows a differential amplifier with one or more variable resistor elements that may include one or more field effect transistor or may include one or more controlled resistor element(s).

FIG. 29 shows a biasing circuit/system for an output stage.

FIG. 30 shows an embodiment using a feedback biasing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following example circuits including FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and or 22 other values for resistors, capacitors, op amps, FETs (e.g., depletion and or enhancement field effect transistor(s)), currents and or voltages may be used.

FIG. 1 shows a prior art voltage controlled resistor circuit where the field effect transistor Q1 is a depletion mode device. Although junction field effect transistors are generally depletion devices, there are some (but not a majority of) insulated gate or MOS (Metal Oxide Silicon) field effect transistors that are also depletion type devices. However, the majority or MOS field effect transistors (MOSFET) are enhancement mode devices.

In FIG. 1 the gate to source voltage of the FET Q1 is varied by variable resistor or variable voltage divider VR1 that provides a voltage range from 0 volts for minimum drain to source resistance to a negative voltage that provides a near open circuit resistance (e.g., very high or close to infinite resistance) across the drain and source of the FET Q1. At 0 volts gate to source voltage maximum attenuation occurs via input source resistor R1. And at a negative gate to source voltage where the drain to source resistance is nearly infinite resistance, the input signal Vin passes virtually completely (e.g., with minimum attenuation) to the output terminal Vout.

All field effect transistors have a source terminal (e.g., denoted by “S”), a gate terminal (e.g., denoted by “G”), and a drain terminal (e.g., denoted by “D”). An FET's resistance is taken across the drain and source terminals.

For a junction or depletion mode FET the drain current, I_(d), can be characterized by the following equation in the FET's ohmic or triode region that is generally used for resistance across the drain and source terminal:

$I_{d} = {I_{DSS}\left\lbrack {{2\left( {1 - \frac{Vgs}{Vp}} \right)\left( \frac{Vds}{- {Vp}} \right)} - {\left( \frac{Vds}{Vp} \right)\left( \frac{Vds}{Vp} \right)}} \right\rbrack}$

Where I_(DSS) is the maximum drain current when the gate to source voltage, Vgs=0 volt and where the cut-off voltage or pinch off voltage is Vp, which is a constant given by the data sheet of the depletion mode FET, and where Vds=drain to source voltage, and where the control voltage, Vgs, is the gate to source voltage that varies the drain to source resistance of the depletion mode FET.

A general equation for a depletion mode FET resistance from its drain to source terminals, R_(ds), such is characterized by the following equation:

$R_{ds} = {1/\left\{ {I_{DSS}\left\lbrack {{{- 2}\left( \frac{1}{Vp} \right)\left( {1 - \frac{Vgs}{Vp}} \right)} - {2\left( \frac{Vds}{Vp} \right)\left( \frac{1}{Vp} \right)}} \right\rbrack} \right\}}$

FIG. 2 shows an enhancement mode FET (e.g., Q2) voltage controlled resistor prior art circuit. In this circuit at 0 volts across the gate and source, the drain to source resistance is nearly infinite and the output signal Vout is almost equal to Vin. If the gate to source voltage of Q2 is increased to a positive voltage sufficiently high to provide a very low resistance from its drain to source terminal, only a small fraction of Vin will pass to Vout.

For an enhancement device, drain current, I_(d), can be characterized by the following equation in the FET's ohmic or triode region that is generally used for resistance across the drain and source terminals:

$I_{d} = {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {{2\left( {{Vgs} - V_{th}} \right){Vds}} - {({Vds})({Vds})}} \right\rbrack}}$

Where W=width and L=channel length of the enhancement mode device.

k′=a constant based on the manufacturing process of the enhancement mode device and where Vds=voltage across the drain and source, and where V_(th)=threshold voltage, and where Vgs=gate to source voltage.

The drain to source resistance can be characterized for an enhancement mode FET as a resistance dependent on Vgs and Vds similarly described previously in the depletion mode FET drain to source resistance.

FIG. 3 shows a voltage controlled resistor using a depletion mode FET where feedback resistors Rfb and R7 form a feedback signal from the drain of the FET to lower distortion, which also provides a more linear drain to source resistance. To provide minimum distortion when R7 is driven with a voltage source, R7=Rfb in terms of resistance values. In FIG. 3 the examples are shown to have R7=Rfb=1 Meg ohms, but other resistance values can be used.

If the gate to source voltage Vgs=Vc+kVds, with k=0.5, then Vgs=Vc+0.5 Vds where Vc=a control voltage then from the original equation:

${I_{d} = {{I_{DSS}\left\lbrack {2\left( {1 - \frac{Vc}{Vp}} \right)\left( \frac{Vds}{- {Vp}} \right)} \right\rbrack} + {I_{DSS}\left\lbrack {2\left( {- \frac{kVds}{Vp}} \right)\left( \frac{Vds}{- {Vp}} \right)} \right\rbrack} - {{I_{DSS}\left( \frac{Vds}{Vp} \right)}\left( \frac{Vds}{Vp} \right)}}}{I_{d} = {{I_{DSS}\left\lbrack {2\left( {1 - \frac{Vc}{Vp}} \right)\left( \frac{Vds}{- {Vp}} \right)} \right\rbrack} + {I_{DSS}\left\lbrack {2\left( {- \frac{0.5{Vds}}{Vp}} \right)\left( \frac{Vds}{- {Vp}} \right)} \right\rbrack} - {{I_{DSS}\left( \frac{Vds}{Vp} \right)}\left( \frac{Vds}{Vp} \right)}}}{I_{d} = {{I_{DSS}\left\lbrack {2\left( {1 - \frac{Vc}{Vp}} \right)\left( \frac{Vds}{- V_{P}} \right)} \right\rbrack} + {I_{DSS}\left\lbrack {\left( {- \frac{Vds}{Vp}} \right)\left( \frac{Vds}{- {Vp}} \right)} \right\rbrack} - {{I_{DSS}\left( \frac{Vds}{Vp} \right)}\left( \frac{Vds}{Vp} \right)}}}$

The last two terms cancel leaving:

$I_{d} = {I_{DSS}\left\lbrack {2\left( {1 - \frac{Vc}{Vp}} \right)\left( \frac{Vds}{- {Vp}} \right)} \right\rbrack}$ and this results in a drain to source resistance, R_(ds), that is no longer dependent on Vds, and to a first approximation R_(ds) is now dependent or a function of the control voltage, Vc:

$R_{ds} = {1/\left\{ {I_{DSS}\left\lbrack {{- 2}\left( \frac{1}{Vp} \right)\left( {1 - \frac{Vc}{Vp}} \right)} \right\rbrack} \right\}}$

Although FIG. 3 when used as a voltage controlled resistor for an attenuator circuit with a more linear drain to source resistance is prior art, this circuit have been found to have a new use as a substantially symmetrical voltage controlled variable limiter or a substantially symmetrical voltage controlled variable clipping level circuit when the input signal is increased to an amplitude beyond the constraints described by

$R_{ds} = {1/{\left\{ {I_{DSS}\left\lbrack {{- 2}\left( \frac{1}{Vp} \right)\left( {1 - \frac{Vc}{Vp}} \right)} \right\rbrack} \right\}.}}$ By varying the control voltage Vc or the gate to source voltage, the substantially symmetrical clipping voltage is varied. Unexpectedly, the single ended circuit in FIG. 3 provides substantially symmetrical clipping, which can be varied via providing a varied voltage at the gate of the FET when Rfb and R7 are approximately equal in value and when R7 is driven with a voltage source whose equivalent output resistance is <<R7. Note that a small portion of the bias voltage from the slider of VR1 does leak through via R7 and Rfb to the drain of the FET and also to the output terminal Vout.

FIG. 4 shows a voltage controlled resistor circuit with reduced nonlinear drain to source resistance including an enhancement mode FET. Ideally one half of the voltage appearing at the drain is coupled to the gate of Q2 for optimal or optimum linearity. This circuit can be also used as a voltage controlled clipping circuit where the clipping voltage is changed or varied via the voltage entering R7 such as the voltage at the slider of potentiometer VR1. Note in FIG. 4 for an N channel enhancement mode device the gate of Q2 is biased with a positive voltage with respect to the source of Q2. Note that a small portion of the bias voltage from the slider of VR1 does leak through via R7 and Rfb to the drain of the FET and also to the output terminal Vout. Although with Rfb and R7 substantially equal in value reduces distortion, the distortion reduction with at least some enhancement mode FETs is less than the distortion reduction with depletion mode FETs. For example, to provide a voltage controlled attenuator circuit, the circuit in FIG. 3 using a depletion mode device FET (e.g., LSK 389 or LSK489) has less distortion than the circuit in FIG. 4, which uses an enhancement mode or MOS field effect transistor (e.g., SD5000 MOSFET).

The equations showing cancellation of distortion for an enhancement mode FET is characterized in the following manner:

Let the gate to source voltage include a portion of the drain to source voltage by having Vgs→Vct+K Vds where the scaling factor K has a range of 0<K<1, and Vct is a DC bias voltage to control the FET's drain to source resistance.

$I_{d} = {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {{2\left( {{Vgs} - V_{th}} \right){Vds}} - {({Vds})({Vds})}} \right\rbrack}}$

Substituting Vgs→Vct+K Vds

$\mspace{20mu}{I_{d} = {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {{2\left( {{Vct} + {KVds} - V_{th}} \right){Vds}} - {({Vds})({Vds})}} \right\rbrack}}}$ $\mspace{20mu}{I_{d} = {{\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {2\left( {{Vct} + {KVds} - V_{th}} \right){Vds}} \right\rbrack}} - {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {({Vds})({Vds})} \right\rbrack}}}}$ $I_{d} = {{\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {2\left( {{Vct} - V_{th}} \right){Vds}} \right\rbrack}} + {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {2({KVds}){Vds}} \right\rbrack}} - {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {({Vds})({Vds})} \right\rbrack}}}$

To cancel out the (Vds)(Vds) term, we equate:

${{{\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {2({KVds}){Vds}} \right\rbrack}} - {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {({Vds})({Vds})} \right\rbrack}}} = 0},{{which}\mspace{14mu}{results}\mspace{14mu}{in}\text{:}}$ ${\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {2({KVds}){Vds}} \right\rbrack}} = {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {({Vds})({Vds})} \right\rbrack}}$

Divide both sides by

${\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}\frac{W}{L}},$ which results in:

[2(K Vds) Vds]=[(Vds)(Vds)], and divided both sides by (Vds)(Vds) results in:

2(K)=1, or K=½=0.5, which again states that half of the voltage at the drain of the enhancement mode FET is coupled to the gate of the enhancement mode FET.

$\mspace{20mu}{{{{With}\mspace{14mu} K} = {1/2}},{I_{d} = {{\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {2\left( {{Vct} - V_{th}} \right){Vds}} \right\rbrack}} + {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {2\left( {\frac{1}{2}{Vds}} \right){Vds}} \right\rbrack}} - {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {({Vds})({Vds})} \right\rbrack}}}}}$

We see that the last two terms cancel and we are left with:

$I_{d} = {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {2\left( {{Vct} - V_{th}} \right){Vds}} \right\rbrack}}$

The conductance from drain to source, g_(ds), when K=½=0.5 is then:

$g_{ds} = {{\frac{d}{dVds}I_{d}} = {{\frac{d}{dVds}\left( {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {2\left( {{Vct} - V_{th}} \right){Vds}} \right\rbrack}} \right)} = {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {2\left( {{Vct} - V_{th}} \right)} \right\rbrack}}}}$ $\mspace{20mu}{g_{ds} = {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {2\left( {{Vct} - V_{th}} \right)} \right\rbrack}}}$

And the resistance from drain to source, R_(ds) is the reciprocal of the conductance, g_(ds)

$R_{ds} = {{1/g_{ds}} = {1/\left( {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {2\left( {{Vct} - V_{th}} \right)} \right\rbrack}} \right)}}$ $R_{ds} = {{{1/\left( {\frac{k^{\prime}}{2}{\frac{W}{L}\left\lbrack {2\left( {{Vct} - V_{th}} \right)} \right\rbrack}} \right)}\mspace{20mu}{when}\mspace{14mu} K} = {\frac{1}{2}.}}$

With the equation for R_(ds) is shown above, R_(ds) is now a function of Vct-V_(th) where Vct provides a control signal and V_(th) is the threshold voltage of the enhancement mode FET. V_(th) is treated as a constant.

In at least one example where the enhancement mode FET includes an SD5000 (e.g., DMOS field effect transistor)), it was found that connecting the feedback resistor Rfb directly from the drain to the gate of the enhancement mode FET did not result in optimum linearity of the drain to source resistance. An improved version to take more advantage to lower distortion (and or to increase drain to source voltage controlled resistance) included an amplifier as shown in FIG. 5 (e.g., U1A).

In FIG. 5, inclusion of the amplifier (e.g., U1A) improved the voltage controlled resistor or attenuator circuit in terms of distortion (e.g., voltage controlled resistance wherein the voltage controlled resistance includes improved linearity of resistance as a function of input signal amplitude) and or improvement in prohibiting any portion of the control voltage at R7 (e.g., left side) from leaking or transferring into the drain terminal of the FET (e.g., drain terminal of Q2 the enhancement mode FET) or in prohibiting any portion of the control voltage at R7 (e.g., left side) from leaking or transferring into the output terminal Vout of the circuit in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, amplifier U1A is configured as a voltage follower whose output resistance is <<Rfb, which effectively eliminates at the output terminal of U1A any signal voltage that is coupled via Rfb such as R7. The addition of a voltage follower amplifier or an amplifier improved by reducing the distortion at the output terminal Vout versus essentially the same circuit with feedback network (e.g., Rfb and F7) shown without an amplifier in FIG. 4. Note in FIG. 5, resistor R2 is optional and can be removed for greater range of attenuation as a function of the control voltage via the wiper or slider of potentiometer VR1. Note because of the amplifier U1A, which is unity gain in this example, the feedback resistor network Rfb and R7 may be lowered in value to overcome parasitic capacitances across the terminals of Q2 that can affect frequency response. For example, capacitances across the gate and source or drain and gate can affect the (e.g., high) frequency response to the modulation of the drain to source resistance if the control voltage via VR1 is replaced with a modulating signal. The modulating signal may include a DC bias voltage and an AC modulating voltage. Another advantage of having an amplifier such as U1A is that it isolates the feedback resistor network, Rfb and R7, from the drain terminal of Q2 (e.g., which Rfb and R7 would otherwise also lower the resistance from the drain terminal to ground by paralleling a resistance at the drain terminal to ground).

In FIG. 3 for example, the feedback network Rfb and R7 is coupled in parallel to the resistance of the drain to source resistance of the FET Q1 and or to R2. This limits the attenuation range of the voltage controlled resistor circuit of FIG. 3 when compared to the circuit in FIG. 5 that does not have the feedback network resistors Rfb and R7 connected in parallel to the drain to source resistance of the FET Q2 nor to the resistor R2.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment for linear voltage control drain to source resistance of Q3, a depletion mode. The advantage of having the amplifier U1A coupled to the feedback network Rfb and R7 to linearize the drain to source resistance of Q3 includes the following:

Inclusion of the amplifier (e.g., U1A) improved the voltage controlled resistor or attenuator circuit in terms of distortion (e.g., voltage controlled resistance wherein the voltage controlled resistance includes improved linearity of resistance as a function of input signal amplitude) and or improvement in prohibiting any portion of the control voltage at R7 (e.g., left side) from leaking or transferring into the drain terminal of the FET (e.g., drain terminal of Q2 the enhancement mode FET) or in prohibiting any portion of the control voltage at R7 (e.g., left side) from leaking or transferring into the output terminal Vout of the circuit in FIG. 6. The addition of a voltage follower amplifier or an amplifier improved by reducing the distortion at the output terminal Vout versus essentially the same circuit with feedback network (e.g., Rfb and F7) shown without an amplifier in FIG. 3. Note because of the amplifier U1A, which is unity gain in this example, the feedback resistor network Rfb and R7 may be lowered in value to overcome parasitic capacitances across the terminals of depletion mode FET Q3 that can affect frequency response. For example, capacitances across the gate and source or drain and gate can affect the (e.g., high) frequency response to the modulation of the drain to source resistance if the control voltage via VR1 is replaced with a modulating signal. The modulating signal may include a DC bias voltage and an AC modulating voltage. Another advantage of having an amplifier such as U1A is that it isolates the feedback resistor network, Rfb and R7, from the drain terminal of Q3 (e.g., and also ground).

It should be noted the feedback network resistors in the circuits of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 usually include high value resistances such as >500Ω to allow for a large range of attenuation from Vin to Vout based on the control voltage to the gate the FET (e.g., Q1 in FIG. 3 or Q2 in FIG. 4). By using an amplifier such as U1A (e.g., voltage follower or gain of substantially 1), the circuits in FIG. 5 and or FIG. 6 can use lower value resistor feedback network (e.g., Rfb and R7) while maintaining greater range of attenuation when compared to the circuits in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. Note again, the feedback network (e.g., Rfb and R7) provides a more linear drain to source voltage controlled resistance of an FET, wherein the voltage control is coupled to the gate and source of the FET.

The circuit in FIG. 6 at least with an LSK389 or LSK489 depletion mode FET using the feedback network Rfb and R7 and amplifier U1A did have similar low distortion as the circuit in FIG. 3. However, the circuit in FIG. 5 with an SD5000 enhancement mode FET with a feedback network Rfb and R7 and including amplifier U1A had noticeably lower distortion when compared to essentially the same circuit in FIG. 4 that did not include an amplifier (e.g., a voltage follower amplifier, gain of 1 amplifier, or amplifier coupled to the feedback network).

FIG. 7A shows a prior art circuit with a linearized drain to source voltage controlled resistance via Rfb and R7 with an amplifier U1A that has a gain of >1. In this circuit, the amplifier U1A allows for feed-through from the control voltage, Vcontrol, via the slider or wiper of VR1, to appear at the output terminal Vout as:

-   -   Vcontrol[R10/(Rfb+R7)]. For example, if R10=10Ω and Rfb=100Ω and         R7=100Ω, then Vout will include—Vcontrol[10 k/(100 k+100 k)]=     -   ( 10/200) Vcontrol=−0.05 Vcontrol. Whereas in the circuits in         FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 do not include any portion of Vcontrol or         control voltage at their output terminals.

With a slight change in the circuit of FIG. 7A, by re-routing Rfb, and changing its value, a linearized drain to source voltage controlled resistance is provided while prohibiting any portion of Vcontrol to pass (e.g., leak through) to the output terminal Vout via FIG. 7B.

In FIG. 7B, amplifier U1A has a gain, G=[(R10+R11)/(R11)=1+(R10/R11). The drain voltage is amplified by a factor of G at Vout_A. To provide for a linearized drain to source voltage control resistance, 50% of the drain voltage of Q3 should be coupled to the gate of Q3. The resistor values of Rfb and R7 are chosen such that: G[(R7)/(R7+Rfb)]=½. Or in other words, [(R7+Rfb)/(R7)]=2G, which equivalently states that (Rfb/R7)=2G−1. For example if G=10 (e.g., R10/R11=9, such as R10=18 kΩ and R11=2 kM), then (Rfb/R7)=2×10−1=20−1=19 or (Rfb/R7)=19, which can have example values of:

Rfb=1900 kΩ (1.9 MΩ) and R7=100 kΩ. One other advantage to having R7<<Rfb due to G>1 is that the control voltage is almost completely coupled to the gate terminal of the FET Q3 (e.g., 1−1/(2G); for example if G=10, the transferred voltage is 1−1/(2G)=1−1/(2×10)=1−0.05=95% transferred to the gate of the FET, Q3.

In the FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7A, the control voltage from the wiper or slider of VR1 is transferred to the gate at half or 50%. This results in that to provide a full range of attenuation, twice the voltage is required at the wiper of VR1. FIG. 7B with G>1 allows for less than twice the voltage at the wiper of VR1 to provide a full range of attenuation from the voltage controlled resistor FET.

FIG. 8 shows an FET four quadrant multiplier circuit that is found to have new use that includes a sinewave to triangle wave processing method or a sinewave to triangle wave apparatus or a sinewave to triangle wave circuit. That is, the circuit in FIG. 8 includes a sine wave to triangle wave converter. A first differential amplifier comprising of U1A and U1D has either its input terminals or output terminals cross coupled with a second differential amplifier comprising U1B and U1C. The source terminals of U1A and U1D are coupled and further coupled to a first current signal via U2A. The source terminals of U1B and U1C are coupled and further coupled to a current signal via U2D. A first signal (e.g., Vin1) terminal is coupled to the gate terminals of U1A and U1D while the gate terminals of U1B and U1C are coupled to a second signal terminal (e.g., ground or inverting phase first signal). The source terminals of U1B and U1C are coupled and further coupled to a second signal current via U2D. The first signal current via the drain of U2A comprises a DC current, DCQ, and a Vin2 AC signal current. The second signal current via the drian of U2D comprises substantially the same DC current as DCQ with an inverted phase Vin2 AC signal current. The drain terminals of U1A and U1B are coupled together and provide an output terminal Vout; the drain terminals of U1C and U1D are coupled together and provide an output terminal Vout\. Although load resistors R4 and R6 have example resistance values of 330Ω each, other resistance values may be used. The load resistors R4 and or R6 may be substituted by coupling the drains of the FET that were coupled to R4 and R6 to the input terminals of grounded gate amplifiers or to the input terminals of grounded base amplifiers or to the input terminals of transresistance amplifiers. With a sine wave signal included to Vin1 and a signal included into Vin2, signal output from Vout or Vout\ includes a triangle waveform. Vin2 may be a voltage close to the voltage of −vb1. R9 and R10 are optional source degeneration or local feedback resistors for U2A and U2D, which provides a more linear transfer function for (e.g., a third) differential amplifier U2A and U2D. DC biasing for all FETs are provided by current source Ibias. Although in FIG. 8, insulated gate, MOS, or enhancement mode FETs are shown, depletion mode or JFETs (Junction Field Effect Transistor) may be used. Yet alternatively, bipolar transistors with series emitter degeneration resistors (e.g., in the locations of U1A, U1B, U1C, and U1D) may also provide sine wave to triangle wave conversion. FIG. 8 can provide a mixer or multiplier function with a modulated (e.g., with Vin2 included for a modulating signal) triangle waveform output for a sinewave input (e.g., sine wave signal at Vin1). Sinewave signal at Vin1 can be included as a carrier signal. If Vin2 is a DC signal, the output of the circuit at Vout or Vout\ provides a triangle waveform when Vin1 includes a sine wave signal.

FIG. 9 shows a sine to triangle wave converter circuit. Field Effect Transistors U1A, U1B, U1C, and U1D are similarly connected as described for FIG. 8. The source terminals of U1A and U1D are coupled together and further coupled to a current source IBiasQ1 denoted by ICQ1. The source terminals of U1B and U1C are coupled together and further coupled to a current source IBiasQ2 denoted by ICQ2. Sine wave to triangle wave conversion is provided by coupling a sine wave signal for Vin1 and having unequal currents for IBiasQ1 and IBiasQ (e.g., ICQ1≠ICQ2 or IBiasQ1≠IBiasQ2). An output signal is provided via Vout or Vout\.

Alternatively in FIG. 9, two resistors may be substituted for current sources IBiasQ1 and IBiasQ2 to provide sine wave to triangle wave conversion. Preferably the current flowing through these two resistors is not equal. In FIG. 9, the FETs U1A, U1B, U1C, and U1D may be substituted with depletion mode devices, or bipolar transistors with series emitter resistors (e.g., series emitter degeneration resistors).

Note that the circuits in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are not the same as a triangle wave to sine wave converter, where the input signal is a triangle wave (e.g., instead of a sine wave signal) and the output signal is a sine wave (e.g., instead of a triangle waveform).

FIG. 10 shows a multiplier circuit using linearized drain to source voltage controlled resistance via FETs Q1A and Q1B. The linearization networks comprise of R13 and R14 for Q1A, and R7 and R6 for Q1B. The voltage gain of amplifier U1B is approximately [(R12/R_(dsQ1A′))+1], and the voltage gain of amplifier U2B is approximately [(R8/R_(dsQ1B′))+1]. R_(dsQ1A), is the equivalent drain resistance from the drain terminal of Q1A to ground that may include an effect from the feedback network resistors R13 and R14. R_(dsQ1B′) is the equivalent drain resistance from the drain terminal of Q1B to ground that may include an effect from the feedback network resistors R7 and R6. In FIG. 10 the multiplier comprises two standard AM (amplitude modulation) circuits wherein the first AM circuit (e.g., U1B) is coupled to an in-phase carrier signal (e.g., Vcarrier) and to an in-phase modulation signal (e.g., Vmod). The second AM circuit (e.g., U2B) is coupled to an inverted phase carrier signal via A10 and to an inverted phase modulation signal via A11. In phase and out of phase modulation signals are coupled to the voltage controlled resistor circuits Q1A and Q1B respectively. Each AM circuit provides a two quadrant multiplying effect. The output of the two AM circuits U1B and U2B are summed to potentiometer VR2 to provide a four quadrant multiplying effect. There is a balance control via VR2 to ensure closest performance to a 4 quadrant multiplier, and the output signal, Vout, is provided by amplifier Av2. Bias voltage Vbias sets an initial or nominal drain to source resistance for Q1A and Q1B. Alternatively in FIG. 10 that shows JFETs, other types of FETs can be used in place of Q1A and Q1B such as enhancement mode or MOS field effect transistors. VR2 is for exampled adjusted to minimize the carrier signal at the output terminal such as Vout.

FIG. 11 shows an improved multiplier circuit from FIG. 10 by including amplifiers A13 and A7 to isolate the feedback resistors R13 and R7 from transferring any portion of the modulation signal or inverted modulation signal to the output of the multiplier circuit of FIG. 11. Multiplier linearity with JFETs or depletion mode FETs is improved by including amplifiers A13 that drives feedback resistor R13, and (amplifier) A7 that drives feedback resistor R7. Multiplier linearity improvement is provided more so by including amplifiers A13 that drives feedback resistor R13, and (amplifier) A7 that drives feedback resistor R7 when the FETs (e.g., Q1A and Q1B) are enhancement mode FETs or MOSFETs (e.g., when compared to using enhancement mode devices in FIG. 10 with bias−v→+v for a positive bias voltage, Vbias). Note with N Channel enhancement mode FETs, Vbias should be a positive voltage, that results in the voltage source −v→+v coupled to VR1.

FIG. 12 shows a voltage controlled phase shifting circuit via U1B with linearized drain to source Q2B FET resistance (e.g., via feedback network Rfb and R16). A buffer amplifier U1A is included to avoid or to prohibit leaking the phase modulation or phase shifting signal (e.g., Vphase_mod may include an AC and or DC signal(s)) into the output terminal Vout. The phase shift is related to the time constant of C14×R_(dsQ2B)∥R19, where R_(dsQ2B) is the drain to source resistance of FET Q2B, and where R_(dsQ2B)∥R19=[(R_(dsQ2B)×R19)/(R_(dsQ2B)+R19)]. In this example of FIG. 11, the phase shift=180 degrees−2 arctan(f/f_(c)). Where f=frequency from the Vin signal source, and f_(c)=1/[2π(C14×R_(dsQ2B)∥R19)]. In some circuits R19 may be omitted such that R19=infinite ohms. Although Q2B in FIG. 12 is shown as a JFET or depletion mode FET, Q2B may include an enhancement mode FET or MOSFET as shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of a phase shifting circuit. The input signal Vin is phase shifted via a control voltage, Vphase_mod. In this example, an enhancement mode FET, U2A, is included. An amplifier U1A provides coupling signal from the drain of the FET, U2A, to a feedback resistor network Rfb and R16 to minimize nonlinear drain to source resistance of U2A. As mentioned previously, using an amplifier or buffer amplifier such as U1A lowers the harmonic distortion caused by the drain to source resistance of U2A. In some examples when the enhancement mode FET (e.g., U2A) includes an SD5000 device, distortion was dramatically reduced by using a voltage follower amplifier to drive the feedback resistor Rfb compared to when the feedback resistor R7 was connected to the drain of U2A. The phase at Vout referenced to Vin is shifted in the following manner: 180 degrees−2 arctan(f/f_(c)). Where f=frequency from the Vin signal source, and f_(c)=1/[2π(C14×R_(dsU2A)∥R19)]. Where R_(dsU2A) is the drain to source resistance of FET U2A, and where R_(dsU2A)∥R19=[(R_(dsU2A)×R19)/(R_(dsU2A)+R19)]. In some circuits R19 may be omitted such that R19=infinite ohms.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment where a linearized voltage controlled resistor (e.g., via feedback network Rfb and R4) is included to provide a voltage controlled gyrator (e.g., simulated inductor) circuit via the drain to source resistance of FET Q1A, C1, U1A, and Rs. The gyrator equivalently provides an inductor in parallel to C_res. The gyrator's inductance L=RsC1R_(dsQ1A) with a series resistance of Rs. R_(dsQ1A) is the drain to source resistance of FET Q1A that is controlled by −Vbias and or Vww. The gyrator can be modeled as an ideal inductor of L in series with a resistor Rs (e.g., L+Rs). With C_res in parallel with the gyrator, a parallel inductor-capacitor band pass filter circuit is provided. This parallel inductor-capacitor band pass circuit may be coupled to a current source or may be coupled to a driving resistor, VR1 as shown in FIG. 14. The quality factor of the bandpass filter circuit is:

Q˜2πf_(res)(VR1)(C_res), where Rs is sufficiently small in resistance to provide an unloaded Q_(u)>Q.

In FIG. 14 the FET Q1A may be replaced with an enhancement mode (e.g., N-channel) FET providing that −Vbias→+Vbias. The output amplifier U1B provides the band pass filtered signal to a load without affecting the Q of the parallel capacitor gyrator (e.g., gyrator is a simulated inductor) bandpass filter circuit. Amplifier U1A provides isolation from the Vww or the DC bias voltage, −Vbias for depletion mode N channel FET (e.g., for Q1A) or having +Vbias for enhancement mode N Channel FET (e.g., for Q1A). Amplifier U1A also provides improved distortion reduction when enhancement mode FETs are included (e.g., as Q1A).

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment method and apparatus to provide feedback that lowers nonlinear resistor distortion of the drain to source resistance of the FET (e.g., Q2B) via amplifiers with a net gain of 0.5 from the drain to gate of the FET. FIG. 15 also prevents the control voltage from VR1 from leaking or passing to the output terminal Vout. An input signal Vin is coupled via a resistor Rs and the drain to source resistance of Q2B form a voltage divider in parallel with R1. R1 may be removed optionally.

In the circuit shown in FIG. 15, the circuit provides a smaller control voltage from VR1 compared to circuit such as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 that attenuates (via the feedback network) the control voltage by 50% to the gate of the FET. Because of this 50% attenuation of the control voltage to the gate terminal, the circuits shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and or 6 for example require twice the voltage than control voltages for FIGS. 1 and 2 for the same attenuation range. The amplifier circuit in FIG. 15 includes an amplifier U1B that allows the control voltage from VR1 to be transferred without attenuation to the gate of the FET.

Alternatively in FIG. 15, the resistor R3 may be smaller in resistance value such that the control voltage (e.g., at the slider or wiper of VR1) is amplified with a gain >1 via U1B and U3A (e.g., gain=R4/R3) and transferred or coupled to the gate of the FET (e.g., Q2B). This greater than 1 gain of the control voltage allows for a smaller voltage for the control voltage (e.g., at the wiper or slider of VR1) when compared to the circuits in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and or 6. FIG. 15 includes a JFET or depletion mode device (e.g., Q2B). FIG. 16 shows essentially the same circuit as FIG. 15 that includes an enhancement mode FET or MOSFET (e.g., U2A) instead of a depletion mode FET or JFET.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment for reducing at least one even order harmonic or intermodulation distortion via driving two FET voltage controlled resistors in balanced or push pull mode. The signals from the drain terminals of the two FET voltage controlled resistors are subtracted via a differential amplifier (e.g. U2B) that cancels or reduces even order harmonic distortion, and or that cancels or reduces even order intermodulation distortion. A push pull or balanced signal is provided by an in-phase signal coupled to a first FET Q1A and an out of phase signal (e.g., inverted phase signal) provided by inverting amplifier circuit R12, R11, and U1B. The out of phase signal from U1B is coupled to a second FET Q1B. Vbias supplies a negative bias voltage to control the drain to source resistances of FETs Q1A and Q1B. Preferably Q1A and Q1B are matched.

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment with further improvement wherein the FET circuits include feedback linearization (e.g., reduction of distortion) from the drain to source resistances of Q1A and Q1B via amplifiers and feedback networks. A first FET (e.g., Q1A) is supplied with an in-phase input signal Vin; a second FET (e.g., Q1B) is supplied with an out of phase (e.g., inverted phase) input signal via the output of U1B. Each FET includes a distortion reduction circuit via U1A, Rfb1, and Ra1 for Q1A, and a distortion reduction circuit via U2A, Rfb2, and Rb1 for Q1B. The signals from the drains of Q1A and Q1B are coupled via U1A and U2A to a differential amplifier U2B to further subtract or cancel even order distortion. The output signal is coupled to an output terminal of U2B. A bias voltage to the FET is provided by VR1, which is a negative voltage for N channel depletion mode FETs or N channel JFETs. Preferably Q1A and Q1B are matched.

If Q1 a and Q1B are N channel enhancement mode or N channel MOSFETs, then the bias voltage Vbias will include a positive voltage as shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 shows an example circuit using enhancement mode devices (FETs) that perform essentially the same functions as the circuit in FIG. 18. Note in FIG. 19 that the isolation amplifiers or buffer amplifiers U1A coupled to Rfb1 to the gate of FET Q1A′; and U2A coupled to Rfb2 to the gate of FET Q1B′ provides lower distortion characteristics than if the feedback resistors Rfb1 were connected across the drain and gate of Q1A′ and Rfb2 were connected across the drain and gate of Q1B′. Preferably Q1A′ and Q1B′ are matched.

FIG. 20 shows a bias servo system to automatically adjusting an FET to a predetermined drain to source resistance. In this example circuit, a reference FET, Q1B, is operating in the ohmic or triode region (e.g., not in the current source region nor in the FET's saturation region). A reference voltage, Vref, such as 0.1 volt DC (although other reference voltages may be used) is coupled to a load resistor R6, which by example is 10 KΩ in this circuit but other values of R6 may be used. The reference voltage is coupled to VR2, which can be adjusted to bias Q1B to a predetermined drain to source resistance. VR2's wiper or slider terminal couples a voltage Vref_2 to the (−) input of amplifier U3A, which by negative feedback forces the (+) input to the same voltage, Vref_2, as the (−) input terminal. The output of the amplifier U3A will then provide a voltage, Vbias′, at the gate of the FET Q1B such that the drain voltage equals Vref_2. For example, if the drain to source resistance of Q1B is to be set to equal R6 such as 10 KΩ, the drain voltage at Q1B will be 50% of Vref or the drain voltage at Q1B=50% of 0.1 volt=0.05 volt or +50 mV DC at the drain of Q1B. VR2 is then set or adjusted to provide Vref_2=+50 mV DC. Of course other values of Vref_2 can be set by VR2 to provide other values of the drain to source resistance of Q1B. With Q1A being substantially matched to Q1B, the same gate voltage, Vbias′, is provided or supplied to the gate of Q1A via amplifier A102 (e.g., unity gain amplifier) and R1 (e.g., R1=10 KΩ, but other resistance values may be used), which then provides the same drain to source resistance (e.g., 10 KΩ in this example; or other resistance values may be predetermined) as Q1B. FIG. 20 shows an example voltage controlled attenuator via Vin, C8, Rs, Q1A, A101, and Vout. Other circuits such as phase shifter and or gyrator circuits previous shown or mentioned may include the Q1A FET or the FIG. 20 circuit for providing a predetermined drain to source resistance. One novel aspect of FIG. 20 is that regardless of which part number, batch, or production run of matched FETs (e.g., for Q1A and Q1B) are used that have varying pinch off voltages Vp or drain current I_(DSS) specifications, this circuit will provide automatic biasing to the gate of the FET for a predetermined drain to source resistance. Note that two or more matched FETs may be used to provide one or more matched predetermined drain to source resistance. For example, if reference FET Q1B were matched to a Q1A, Q1C, Q1D, . . . and so on, the FETs Q1A, Q1C, Q1D, . . . and so on will have the same drain to source resistance as reference FET Q1B (e.g., via Vbias′).

In FIG. 20, U3A may require frequency compensation to avoid oscillation via a compensating capacitor (e.g., CS) coupled to the output of U3A and the (−) input of U3A. Of course other methods of frequency compensation may be provide such as coupling one or more capacitors at the gate and or drain of Q1B to provide a roll-off in frequency response that enables stable operation without oscillation in U3A.

In FIG. 20 a modulated drain to source resistance may be provided by coupling a signal to the gate of Q1A via signal source Vww and C3, and or coupling or combining a signal on either side of R8 (note that R8 is shown to have 10 KΩ of resistance, but other resistance values may be used), or combining or coupling a modulating signal to the wiper of VR2, or coupling a modulating to the (−) input terminal of U3A. Diode D1 in FIG. 20 has its anode coupled to the gate of Q1B and to the input terminal of A102. To ensure proper start-up of the bias servo circuit in FIG. 20, D1 ensures that the gate terminals of Q1B and Q1A avoid being forward biased, which may cause U3A to latch to a positive voltage, which would be incorrect since the N channel (e.g., depletion mode) devices of Q1B and Q1A require a non positive voltage their gate terminals or generally a negative bias voltage at their gate terminals. Diode D1 may include a germanium diode or a Schottky diode, which either or both provide forward diode drop voltages less than the forward bias drop voltage across the gate and source of the FETs Q1B and Q1A. The gate terminals of Q1A and Q1B are biased with substantially the same DC voltage to ensure substantially equal quiescent drain to source resistance for Q1B and Q1A. Modulation of the drain to source resistance of Q1A is provided by AC coupling voltage signal Vww via C3 to the gate of Q1A. DC biasing to Q1A is provided by R1 via the output of A102. The output voltage or signal from A102 is substantially the same as the gate terminal voltage of Q1B.

FIG. 21 shows essentially the same bias servo circuit as FIG. 20, except that the FET devices include enhancement mode FETs or MOSFETs for Q2A and Q2B. Q2A and Q2B are substantially matched FETs. In FIG. 21 the reference FET is shown as Q2A, and adjusting or setting potentiometer VR2 will set up a predetermined drain to source resistance for Q2A. Since the Vbias' voltage provides substantially the same voltage to the gate terminals of Q2A and Q2B, the drain to source resistance of Q2B will be substantially the same drain to source resistance of Q2A. To prevent start-up problems whereby the bias servo circuit can latch, diode D1 (e.g., where diode D1 has its cathode coupled to the gate of Q2A) in FIG. 21 prevents the amplifier U3A to latch to a negative voltage at its output terminal. Diode D1 ensures that amplifier U3A provides a positive voltage at the gate terminals of U2A and U2B. Other descriptions mentioned previously for FIG. 20 can be applied to the circuit in FIG. 21.

FIG. 22 shows an embodiment that includes drain to source resistance linearization feedback via resistors R10 and R9 for Q1B, and drain to source resistance linearization feedback via resistors Rfb and R4 for Q1A. The bias servo circuit in FIG. 22 includes a Vref voltage coupled to a load resistor R6, and potentiometer or voltage divider circuit to provide voltage at the (−) terminal of amplifier U1B. The reference FET Q1B has its drain terminal coupled to R6 and an input of amplifier U2B. Note that Q1A and Q1B are preferably matched. The output amplifier U2B is coupled to a feedback network, R10 and R9. A first terminal of R10 is coupled to the output of amplifier U2B and a second terminal of R10 is coupled to the gate of Q1B and to the a first terminal of R9. A second terminal of R9 is coupled to the output terminal of amplifier U1B. The output voltage from amplifier U1B couples a voltage to the gate of reference FET Q1B to set a predetermined drain to source resistance of Q1B via adjusting a voltage from VR1 that is coupling a voltage, Vref_2A to the (+) terminal of amplifier U1B. Via negative feedback of U1B, the voltage Vref_2A forces the drain voltage of Q1B to be substantially the same as Vref_2A. A similar voltage controlled resistor circuit with Q1A has the DC gate voltage of Q1A substantially the same as the DC gate voltage of Q1B. The drain to source resistance of Q1A is then substantially the same as the drain to source resistance of Q1B. Both FETs Q1B and Q1A have substantially the same feedback circuit comprising amplifiers U2B with R10 and R9, and also with U4B, Rfb, and R4. Amplifiers U2B and U4B have substantially the same voltage gain, with R10 substantially having equal in resistance value to Rfb, and R9 having substantially equal in resistance value to R4.

Note that although Q1B and Q1A in FIG. 22 are shown as N channel FET or depletion mode devices, enhancement mode FETs or MOSFETs may be used instead when diode D1 is reversed in connection. That is for N channel enhancement FET, D1 has its cathode coupled to the gate, while the anode of D1 will be coupled to ground. Also note that Vref is coupled to load resistor R6 and VR2.

Alternatively a current source may replace the load resistor R6 in FIGS. 20, 21, and or 22. For example if the current source is Iref=10 uA (10 micro-amps) and Vref=0.100 volt is the voltage at the (+) input terminal of amplifier U1B, then the drain to source resistance via the bias servo circuit in FIGS. 20, 21, and or 22 will provide a gate to source voltage such that the reference FET drain to source resistance, R_(ds)=(Vref/Iref). Preferably, the two FETs shown in FIGS. 20, 21, and or 22 are matched. The reference FET in FIG. 20 is Q1B, the reference FET in FIG. 21 is Q2A, and the reference FET in FIG. 22 is Q1B. The drain to source resistances of the associated FETs in FIGS. 20, 21, and or 22 will be substantially equal to the drain to source resistances of the reference FET. For example the associated FET in FIG. 20 is Q1A, the associated FET in FIG. 21 is Q2B, and the associated FET in FIG. 22 is Q1A. For FIGS. 20, 21, and or 22, if a modulated drain to source resistance is required, the current source, Iref may include a time varying function that includes a DC current and an AC current in the form of Iref(t)=(I₀+I_(mod)(t)), where (I₀+I_(mod)(t))≥0, where I₀ is a DC current and I_(mod)(t) is a time varying current or an AC current. Alternatively to provide a modulated drain to source resistance, set a fixed voltage to R6, the modify the Vref that is coupled to VR2 which may be replaced with a voltage source that includes a varying function such as Vref→Vref(t)=(V₀+V_(mod)(t)) where (V₀+V_(mod)(t))≥0, and where V₀=DC voltage, and where V_(mod)(t)=an AC voltage or a time varying voltage. The Vref coupled to R6 may be a constant voltage or R6 may be replaced with a DC current source.

FIG. 23 shows a differential amplifier with diodes, D1 and D2, as local feedback elements. These diodes, D1 and or D2 lower the output noise at either or both collectors of Q1 and or Q2.

In FIG. 23, the diodes, D1 and or D2, may also reduce distortion of the amplifier at the collectors of Q1 and or Q2 when the amplifier is configured as a differential amplifier with an input signal Vin shown coupled to the base of Q1 or alternatively a signal may be coupled to the base of Q2. The diodes, D1 and or D2, may also reduce distortion of the amplifier at the collectors of Q1 and or Q2 when the amplifier is configured as a voltage controlled amplifier with a control signal Vin shown coupled to the base of Q1 or alternatively a signal may be coupled to the base of Q2, wherein in an input signal (e.g., AC signal) is provided by Vopt. By controlling Vin, the signal at the collector of Q1 and or Q2 (e.g., via resistors R4 and or R5) provides an amplitude controlled signal of Vopt. For example, if Vin includes a DC signal, the gain or amplitude of Vopt is controlled or varied via Vin. In another example, if Vin is a modulating signal, then an amplitude modulated Vopt is provided at the collector of Q1 and or at the collector of Q2. The diodes D1 and or D2 provides for the voltage controlled amplifier (e.g., Q1, Q2, and or Q5) lower distortion and or noise at outputs provided by the collector(s) of Q1 and or Q2.

FIG. 24 shows an improvement to the circuit in FIG. 23 by adding one or more diodes in series to D1 and or D2. By having series diodes, such as D1 in series with D3, and or for example D2 in series with D4, the noise and or distortion as described for the amplifier or voltage controlled amplifier in the previous paragraph pertaining to FIG. 23 is improved. For the circuit in FIG. 24, the number of diodes in series is incremented in terms of integers or of whole numbers. For example, the number of diodes in series can only include N, where N is an element of a whole number such as 2, 3, 4, 5, or the like. For example, there can be 3 diodes in series, 4 diodes in series, etc with the emitter of Q1 and or Q2. Having the nonlinear resistance characteristics (e.g., resistance that changes diode current) in diodes or transistors provide for low distortion (e.g., low harmonic distortion) in voltage controlled amplifier when the signal current is coupled to the emitters of Q1 and or Q2 and when the control voltage is coupled to the base or bases of Q1 and or Q2. If the emitters of Q1 and or Q2 include any linear resistances such as linear resistance in series or in parallel with the diode D1 and or D2, then distortion will increase.

FIG. 25 shows an embodiment whereby the number of equivalent diodes in series can include a real number, rational number, integer, and or whole number. By using a Vbe multiplier circuit such as R6, R7, and Q3 and or R8, R9, and Q4, the number of equivalent diodes is provided approximately by n_(a)=(1+R6/R7) or by n_(b)=(1+R8/R9), where n_(a) and n_(b) are elements of real number(s). By including one or more Vbe multiplier circuits, a differential amplifier or a voltage controlled amplifier may be implemented. The one or more Vbe multiplier circuits may be used to replace or substitute one or more diodes, or the one or more Vbe multiplier circuits may be used to replace or substitute at least a fraction of a diode in terms of its characteristics. A diode characteristic may include an exponential function such as Id=I_(s)(e^((vd/nvt))), where Id=diode forward bias current, vd=diode voltage across the anode to cathode in forward bias, I_(s)=reverse leakage current, n=a real number (e.g.) and vt=kT/q˜0.026 volt at room temperature where k=Boltzman's constant, T=temperature in Kelvin, and q=charge or 1.6×10⁻¹⁹ coulomb. An incremental diode resistance or small signal diode resistance can be expressed as R_(d)=n(vt/Id)˜n×(0.026 volt/Id). The voltage across the collector and emitter of Q3 is VCE_(Q3)=n×VBE_(Q3), and the voltage across the collector and emitter of Q4 is VCE_(Q4)=n×VBE_(Q4); where VBE_(Q3)=vt ln(ICQ_(Q3)/Is_(Q3)) and VBE_(Q4)=vt ln(ICQ_(Q4)/Is_(Q4)). Note that n_(a) can be equal to n; note that n_(b) can be equal to n. ICQ_(Q3) is the quiescent collector current of Q3 and ICQ_(Q4) is the quiescent collector current of Q4. The voltage vt=0.026 volt at room temperature (e.g., same vt as describe previously in the diode equation); also Is_(Q3) and or Is_(Q4) are leakage currents such as described in an Ebers-Moll transistor model equation. An example of a fraction of a diode characteristic such as the small signal diode resistance would be: If n=1.66 and if Id=0.001 amp, then R_(d)=n(vt/Id)˜n×(0.026 volt/Id)=1.66×(0.026 volt/0.001 A)=1.66×26 ohms or R_(d)=43.16 ohms in this example. An embodiment includes using a Vbe multiplier circuit to provide an incremental resistance of n×(vt/Id), includes FIG. 25 (or FIG. 26 or FIG. 27, or FIG. 28, or FIG. 29). As shown in FIGS. 25, 26, and or 27, the number n=(1+R6/R7) or the number n=(1+R8/R9). An example of a fractional equivalent series diode(s) drop(s) that is represented by the collector to emitter voltage of Q3 is VCE_(Q3)=n×VBE_(Q3), or for Q4 is VCE_(Q4)=n×VBE_(Q4). The collector to emitter small signal resistance for Q3 is R_(CEQ3)˜[R6+R7]∥[n×(vt/ICQ_(Q3))], and collector to emitter small signal resistance for Q4 is R_(CEQ4)˜[R8+R9]∥[n×(vt/ICQ_(Q4))]. Note that the resistances R6, R7, R8, and or R9 provide parallel (e.g., lossy or distortion causing) resistances to an idea collector to emitter resistance of [n×(vt/ICQ_(Q3))] for Q3 or [n×(vt/ICQ_(Q4))] for Q4. Note that transistors Q3 and or Q4 may be substituted with a Darlington transistor or equivalent Darlington transistor circuit wherein the Darlington transistor or circuit provides high current gain in the order of β×(β+1) or of β², whereas a single conventional transistor has a current gain of β. Note that transistor Q3 and or Q4 may be replaced or substituted with one or more field effect transistor(s). The collector of transistor Q5 provides a signal current and a bias current, and the collector of Q5 may be replaced with an equivalent circuit having a DC current and an AC signal current.

FIG. 26 includes an embodiment that provides improvement of the circuit shown in FIG. 25. FIG. 26 (or FIG. 27) includes circuitry that results in transistors Q3 and or Q4 to behave more like ideal diodes with nonlinear resistance (e.g., nonlinear resistance across the collector and emitter of Q3 and or Q4 that resemble diode resistances with substantially free of linear resistance) required to low distortion in a voltage controlled amplifier. FIG. 26 includes one or more amplifiers or isolating amplifiers, A1, A2, A3, and or A4. Input terminals for A1, A2, A3, and A4 are respectively i1, i2, i3, and i4. Output terminals for A1, A2, A3, and A4 are respectively o1, o2, o3, and o4. For example the amplifiers A1, A2, A3, and or A4 may include unity gain or near unity gain amplifier(s), that may (or may not) include high impedance input resistance and or low impedance output resistance. For example, A1, A2, A3, and or A4 may include unity gain voltage follower circuit(s) that substantially isolates the resistors R6, R7, R8, and or R9 from one or more emitters of a differential amplifier (e.g., Q1 and or Q2). With A1, A2, A3, and or A4, for example the collector to emitter resistances of Q3 and Q4 are respectively R_(CEQ3)˜[n×(vt/ICQ_(Q3))] and R_(CEQ4)˜[n×(vt/ICQ_(Q4))]; and note with amplifiers A1, A2, A3, and or A4 that resistances (R6+R7) and (R8+R9) are no longer in parallel to the collector and emitter terminals of Q3 and Q4 respectively. FIG. 26 with A1, A2, A3, and or A4 provides an improved linearity and or provides a lower noise performance for a voltage controlled amplifier (e.g., when compared to FIG. 25 that has resistors R6, R7, R8, and or R9). The collector of transistor Q5 provides a signal current and a bias current, and the collector of Q5 may be replaced with an equivalent circuit having a DC current and an AC signal current. In another embodiment, one or more amplifiers, A1, A2, A3, and or A4 may be replaced and or one or more amplifiers, A1, A2, A3, and or A4 input to output terminals may be coupled through with a wire or with a coupling element. For example, in FIG. 26, amplifiers A2 and or A4 can be replaced or removed, and the lower terminal of resistor R7 that was connected to o2 of A2 is now coupled to the collector of Q5 and or the lower terminal of resistor R9 that was connected to o4 of A4 is now connected to a signal source such as the collector of Q5.

FIG. 27 provides a further improvement to the circuit in FIG. 26 and or FIG. 25 by providing additional amplifier A5 and or A6. Finite base currents from Q3 and or Q4 can result in voltage drops across R6, R7, R8, and or R9, which can result in extra distortion (e.g., in a voltage controlled amplifier). Amplifiers A5 and or A6 that include low output impedance or resistance can provide voltage to the base of Q3 and or Q4 without regard or consequence (e.g., performance degradation such as generating distortion) to the base current from Q3 and or Q4. The collector of transistor Q5 provides a signal current and a bias current, and the collector of Q5 may be replaced with an equivalent circuit having a DC current and an AC signal current. In another embodiment one or more amplifiers, A1, A2, A3, and or A4 may be replaced, and or one or more amplifiers, A1, A2, A3, and or A4 input to output terminals may be coupled through with a wire or coupling element. For example, in FIG. 26, amplifiers A2 and or A4 can be replaced or removed, and the lower terminal of resistor R7 that was connected to o2 of A2 is now coupled to the collector of Q5 and or the lower terminal of resistor R9 that was connected to o4 of A4 is now connected to a signal source such as the collector of Q5.

FIG. 28 shows a voltage controlled Vbe multiplier circuit using a voltage dependent resistor such as Q6 and or Q7 (e.g., via the drain terminal and source terminal). Devices Q6 and or Q7 may be a semiconductor device including one or more field effect transistor(s). For example, the drain to source terminals of a field effect transistor in conjunction with a gate to source voltage can provide voltage control for a variable Vbe multiplier circuit of Q3 and or of Q4 via control voltage V6 and or V7. An example Vbe multiplier circuit provides a VCE voltage across the collector and emitter terminals of Q3 and or Q4 wherein the VCE voltage is a function of a control voltage V6 and or V7. One or more amplifiers A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, and or A6 may be included. The control voltages to Q6 and or Q7 may include a DC voltage and or an AC voltage. Output of the amplifier may be provided at the collector of Q1 and or the collector of Q2. In one embodiment that includes an amplifier, a first signal current is provided via a current from the collector of Q5. For example, Q5 forms a voltage to current converter circuit for an input signal voltage Vopt, with the collector of Q5 providing a signal current output. A first control voltage is provided via Vin or a voltage coupled to one or more bases of Q1 and or Q2. A second and or third control voltage is included in V6 and or V7.

In FIG. 28, another embodiment comprises an amplifier wherein a local feedback circuit includes Q3 with Q6 and or includes Q5 with Q7. An first input signal is coupled to the base of Q1 and or Q2. Q5 provides a DC current with optionally enabling a second input signal, Vopt, that is coupled to the base or emitter of Q5. Gain control is provided by varying control voltage V6 and or V7, which will affect the amount of local feedback to the emitter of Q1 and or Q2. The amount of local feedback to the emitter of Q1 and or Q2 will provide a predetermined gain and or provide a predetermined distortion characteristic. In this embodiment example, one or more amplifiers, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, and or A6 may be included (e.g., as shown in FIG. 28).

FIG. 29 shows an adjustable Vbe multiplier (e.g., biasing) circuit comprising Q3 and Q6, wherein the voltage is provided across the collector and emitter of Q3. Amplifiers, A1, A2, and or A6 are optional. For example, if any amplifier A1, A2, and or A6 is removed, a coupling element (e.g., a wire or resistor) may be connected between the original input and output terminal of each amplifier that is removed. For example, if A6 (e.g., wherein A6 has input terminal i6 and output terminal o6) is removed, a wire or coupling element is connected/coupled from the junction of R6 (e.g., via i6) and drain of Q6 to the base of Q3 (e.g., via o6).

The drain and source terminals of Q6 (e.g., in FIG. 29 or FIG. 28), a field effect transistor provides a voltage controlled resistance via control voltage V6.

FIG. 29 includes an embodiment for an output stage to control the quiescent current of output devices Q2 and Q4, which are shown to be bipolar transistors. Alternatively, Q2 and Q4 may include field effect transistors. The Vbe multiplier circuit including Q3 and Q6 provides a biasing voltage via the collector voltage of Q3 and the emitter voltage of Q3 to the base of Q2 and base of Q4 (e.g., respectively). Q2 and Q4 form a push pull emitter follower output stage in this example.

FIG. 30 shows a zero crossing circuit class AB amplifier that provides setting the output transistor biasing quiescent current using a feedback system. The output signal, Vout is coupled to a zero crossing circuit that provides a logic signal when Vout is within a window or range of voltages near zero volts, such as for example, between +10 mV to −10 mV or other voltage range(s). Upon the detection of signal(s) near zero volts, a switch, SW1 turns on to sample the quiescent collector (or emitter) current of one of the output transistors. A differential amplifier, DA1, measures the voltage across a sense resistor coupled to one of the output transistors (e.g., Q2, or alternatively the sense resistor, Rsense, can be coupled to Q4). Alternatively, differential amplifier may sense the voltage across emitter resistor R5 and or emitter resistor R4. An output terminal of the differential amplifier is coupled to a sample and hold circuit comprising switch SW1 and hold capacitor C1. The voltage across the hold capacitor provides a voltage that is indicative of an output stage collector current when the output voltage of the output stage transistor (e.g., Vout) is near zero volts. The voltage across the hold capacitor is coupled to a processing circuit, Proc. Circuit, that may include an integrator or low pass filter and or a comparing amplifier. A reference voltage is included in the processing circuit to “servo” or set the voltage across the sense resistor Rsense to a set voltage, which in turn will set the quiescent bias current of the output stage circuit (e.g., Q2 and Q4). The output of the processing circuit, Proc. Circuit, is coupled to the gate of the field effect transistor, Q6, which then sets a voltage across the collector and emitter of Q3 to bias the output transistors Q2 and Q4. Note that output transistors Q2 and Q4 may include any combination of bipolar transistor, field effect transistor, or other transistor (e.g., insultage gate bipolar transistor, GaAs FET, silicon germanium, silicon, germanium, or the like). Preferably or optionally, a summing circuit, Sum1 is included to add the source voltage of Q6 to the output voltage of the processing circuit, which the output of the summing circuit, Sum1, is coupled to the gate of Q6. FIG. 30 may include one or more circuits as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,213 (Ronald Quan) which is incorporated by reference.

In another embodiment to increase linearity of the drain to source resistance of field effect transistors such as those in FIG. 28, FIG. 29, and or FIG. 30, the field effect transistors may include coupling a feedback resistor from the drain to the gate, and or with the gate including a series gate resistor. For example see circuits in FIG. 4 and or FIG. 5 (e.g., including a buffer amplifier U1A in FIG. 5.) including Rfb and or R7.

Another embodiment includes utilizing the drain to source or source to drain terminals of a field effect transistor to replace or substitute a resistor such as R6, R8, R7 and or R9 in FIG. 25, FIG. 26, and or FIG. 27. Another embodiment includes utilizing the drain to source or source to drain terminals of a field effect transistor to replace or substitute a resistor such as R6 and or R8, in FIG. 27. The drain to source or source to drain terminals may include providing a resistance characteristic and or a current source characteristic.

FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 show examples of a differential pair amplifier circuit wherein a first emitter of a first transistor is coupled to a collector of a third transistor and to an input terminal of a first amplifier. The first amplifier includes an output terminal which is coupled to a first terminal of a first resistor wherein a second terminal of the first resistor is coupled to a base terminal of the third transistor. A second transistor including an emitter of the second transistor is coupled to an input terminal of a second amplifier wherein the second amplifier includes an output terminal that is coupled to a first terminal of a second resistor and wherein the second resistor includes a second terminal that is coupled to a base terminal of a fourth transistor.

Another embodiment comprises a Vbe multiplier circuit that includes: a transistor with a collector terminal, base terminal, and emitter terminal, wherein the collector terminal of the Vbe multiplier circuit is coupled to a first input terminal of a first amplifier, and wherein the first amplifier includes an output terminal that is coupled to a first terminal of a first resistor. The first resistor includes a second terminal which is coupled to the base of the transistor. The emitter terminal of the transistor is coupled to an input terminal of a second amplifier, wherein the second amplifier includes an output terminal that is coupled to a first terminal of a second resistor. The second resistor includes a second terminal that is coupled to the second terminal of the first resistor and to the base terminal of the transistor. Another embodiment include the Vbe multiplier circuit that when used as a local feedback element for an amplifier substantially includes an exponential relationship that reduces or eliminates distortion (or noise) in a differential pair voltage controlled amplifier.

By utilizing a Vbe multiplier circuit (e.g., from collector to emitter of Q3 or of Q4) as previously described for a differential pair amplifier such as shown in FIG. 26 and or FIG. 27, the Vbe circuit substantially preserves an exponential relationship such that distortion is substantially reduced when a control voltage is varied. For example, the Vbe multiplier circuit including amplifiers A1, A2, A3, and or A4 provides an output current at the collector of Q1 or Q2 in the form of I_(out)=K₀/[(1+e^((Vin/nvt)))], or in the form of I_(out2)=K₀[e^((Vin/nvt)))]/[(1+e^((Vin/nvt)))], where n=(1+R6/R7) and or where n=(1+R8/R9), and where K₀ is a constant. An embodiment utilizing a Vbe multiplier circuit comprising Q3, R6, R7, A1, and or A2 provides a non-linear resistance similar to a diode whereby the incremental or small signal resistance from collector to emitter of Q3 is R_(CE_Q3)=[1+(R6/R7)][vt/ICQ_(Q3)], where vt=0.026 volt at room temperature and ICQ_(Q3)=DC collector current of Q3; and or whereby the collector to emitter current and voltage characteristics that resembles a diode forward bias is scalable via a factor of [1+(R6/R7)]=n in terms of turn on voltage and or in terms of dynamic resistance.

An embodiment may include a circuit to provide an exponential or logarithmic relationship comprising a transistor with a collector terminal, base terminal, and emitter terminal wherein the collector terminal is coupled to the base terminal via an amplifier that may include a voltage divider. For example, the collector terminal of the transistor is coupled to an input of a first amplifier, the first amplifier provides an output terminal wherein the output terminal of the first amplifier is coupled to one or more resistors to the base of the transistor and wherein the one or more resistors may be configured as a voltage divider. The emitter of the transistor may be coupled to a voltage source or ground or to another circuit. The emitter of the transistor may be coupled to an input of a second amplifier where the second amplifier provides an output terminal, wherein the output terminal of the second amplifier is coupled to a voltage divider circuit. For example a portion of FIG. 27 includes transistor Q3, a first amplifier A1, a voltage divider circuit R6 and or R7, and or optionally a second amplifier A2. Examples of using a circuit described in this paragraph include the following: 1) A local feedback circuit coupled to an emitter of a single ended amplifier or push pull amplifier or differential pair amplifier, a distortion providing circuit; 2) a predistortion circuit; 3) a load circuit; 4) a DC biasing circuit; 5) a modulating circuit. It should be noted in some applications, the transistor Q3 in FIG. 27 may be substituted with a different device including a field effect transistor and or one or more transistors.

The circuits in FIG. 26, FIG. 27, and or FIG. 28 provides for improved noise performance by lowering the noise inherent in the first and second transistors such as Q1 and or Q2. One source of noise is the internal series base resistances in Q1 and or Q2, which generate shot noise and thermal noise. The circuits (e.g., components) associated with Q3 and Q4 such as A1, A2, A3, A4, R6, R7, R8, and or R9 help reduce thermal noise signal and or shot noise signal generated by Q1 and Q2 that is provided at the output collectors terminals of Q1 and Q2 (e.g., via load resistor R4 and or via load resistor R5).

The amplifiers A2 and or A4 in FIG. 26, FIG. 27, and or FIG. 28 will provide isolation of electrical current flowing into the emitter of Q3 and or Q4. The amplifiers A2 and or A4 in FIG. 26, FIG. 27, and or FIG. 28 will provide isolation of electrical current flowing into the collector of Q5 or to a current source that includes a DC current. The amplifiers A2 and or A4 in FIG. 26, FIG. 27, and or FIG. 28 will provide isolation of electrical current flowing into the collector of Q5 or to a current source that includes DC current and or AC current. The amplifiers A2 and or A4 in FIG. 26, FIG. 27, and or FIG. 28 prevent electrical current flowing into the emitter of Q3 and or Q4 via R6, R7, R8, R9, Q6, and or Q7. The amplifiers A2 and or A4 in FIG. 26, FIG. 27, and or FIG. 28 absorb or sink electrical current from R6, R7, R8, R9, Q6, and or Q7. The amplifiers A2 and or A4 in FIG. 26, FIG. 27, and or FIG. 28 preserves an exponential or logarithmic characteristic of bipolar transistors (e.g., Q3 and or Q4) when current(s) is driven to the collectors of Q3 and Q4 via the emitters of Q1 and or Q2.

The amplifier A1 in FIG. 26, FIG. 27, and or FIG. 28 prevents the emitter of Q1 from driving the Q1 emitter current into R6. The amplifier A3 in FIG. 26, FIG. 27, and or FIG. 28 prevents the emitter of Q2 from driving the Q2 emitter current into R8.

This disclosure is illustrative and not limiting; further modifications will be apparent to one skilled in the art and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims and or of the embodiments described. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing low distortion in a voltage controlled amplifier that provides voltage controlled gain comprising: a first transistor including a collector terminal, a base terminal, and an emitter terminal; a second transistor including a collector terminal, base terminal, and an emitter terminal; a third transistor including a collector terminal, base terminal, and an emitter terminal; a fourth transistor including a collector terminal, base terminal, and an emitter terminal; a first amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal; a second amplifier having an input terminal and an output terminal a first resistor including a first terminal and a second terminal: a second resistor including a first terminal and a second terminal; a third resistor including a first terminal and a second terminal; a fourth resistor including a first terminal and a second terminal; a control voltage coupled to the base terminal of the first transistor or to the base terminal of the second transistor; coupling the emitter of the first transistor to the collector of the third transistor; coupling the collector terminal of the third transistor to the input terminal of the first amplifier; coupling the output terminal of the first amplifier to the first terminal the first resistor; coupling the second terminal of the first resistor to the base terminal of the third transistor; coupling the first terminal of the second resistor to the base terminal of the third transistor; coupling the second terminal of the second resistor to the emitter terminal of the third transistor; coupling the emitter terminal of the third transistor to the emitter terminal of the fourth transistor; coupling the emitter terminal of the second transistor to the collector terminal of the fourth transistor; coupling the collector terminal of the second transistor to the input terminal of the second amplifier; coupling the output terminal of the second amplifier to the first terminal of the third resistor; coupling the second terminal of the third resistor to the base terminal of the fourth transistor; coupling the second terminal of the third resistor to first terminal of the fourth resistor; coupling the second terminal of the fourth resistor to the emitter of the fourth transistor; supplying a signal source to the emitter terminals of the third and fourth transistors; providing an output signal at the collector terminal of the first transistor or the collector terminal of the second transistor wherein the control signal controls the gain of the voltage controlled amplifier.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first or second amplifier has a gain of substantially one.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the signal source is provided via a collector terminal of a fifth transistor.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising a third amplifier including an input terminal and an output terminal; further comprising a fourth amplifier including an input terminal and an output terminal.
 5. The method of claim 4 further comprising coupling the emitter terminal of the third transistor to the input terminal of the third amplifier wherein the output terminal of the third amplifier is coupled to the second terminal of the second resistor; further comprising coupling the emitter terminal of the fourth transistor to the input terminal of the fourth amplifier wherein the output terminal of the fourth amplifier is coupled to the second terminal of the fourth resistor.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the first amplifier, second amplifier, third amplifier, and fourth amplifier provides the output signal that is related to an exponential relationship with the control signal.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the noise contributions from the first and second transistors is reduced at the output signal.
 8. A circuit for providing a diode characteristic to an amplifier comprising: a first isolating amplifier and a second isolating amplifier, wherein the first isolating amplifier includes an input terminal and an output terminal and wherein the second isolating amplifier includes an input terminal and an output terminal; a first transistor including a base terminal, an emitter terminal, and a collector terminal; coupling the collector terminal of the first transistor to the input terminal of the first isolating amplifier; coupling the output terminal of the first isolating amplifier to the base terminal of the first transistor; coupling the emitter terminal of the first transistor to the input terminal of the second isolating amplifier; coupling the output terminal of the second isolating amplifier to the base terminal of the first transistor; wherein a diode like nonlinear resistance is provided across the collector terminal of the first transistor and the emitter terminal of the first transistor.
 9. The circuit of claim 8 wherein the amplifier includes a differential amplifier.
 10. The circuit of claim 9 wherein the differential amplifier includes a first differential amplifier transistor wherein the first differential amplifier transistor includes an emitter terminal, a base terminal, and a collector terminal; further comprising coupling the emitter terminal of the first differential amplifier transistor to the collector terminal of the first transistor and coupling the emitter terminal of the first differential amplifier transistor to the input terminal of the first isolating amplifier.
 11. The circuit of claim 8 wherein the amplifier includes an output stage circuit wherein the first transistor provides a Vbe multiplier circuit and wherein a voltage across the collector terminal of the first transistor and the emitter terminal of the first transistor controls a quiescent current of the output stage circuit.
 12. The circuit claim 11 wherein the Vbe multiplier circuit includes a voltage dependent resistor.
 13. The circuit of claim 12 further comprising a zero crossing circuit including an input terminal and an output terminal wherein the input terminal of the zero crossing circuit is coupled to an output terminal of the output stage circuit and wherein the output terminal of the zero crossing circuit is coupled to a first terminal of a switch.
 14. A method for providing a diode characteristic to an amplifier comprising: a first isolating amplifier and a second isolating amplifier, wherein the first isolating amplifier includes an input terminal and an output terminal and wherein the second isolating amplifier includes an input terminal and an output terminal; a first transistor including a base terminal, an emitter terminal, and a collector terminal; coupling the collector terminal of the first transistor to the input terminal of the first isolating amplifier; coupling the output terminal of the first isolating amplifier to the base terminal of the first transistor; coupling the emitter terminal of the first transistor to the input terminal of the second isolating amplifier; coupling the output terminal of the second isolating amplifier to the base terminal of the first transistor; wherein a diode like nonlinear resistance is provided across the collector terminal of the first transistor and the emitter terminal of the first transistor.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the amplifier includes a differential amplifier.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the differential amplifier includes a first differential amplifier transistor wherein the first differential amplifier transistor includes an emitter terminal, a base terminal, and a collector terminal; further comprising coupling the emitter terminal of the first differential amplifier transistor to the collector terminal of the first transistor and coupling the emitter terminal of the first differential amplifier transistor to the input terminal of the first isolating amplifier.
 17. The method of claim 14 wherein the amplifier includes an output stage circuit wherein the first transistor provides a Vbe multiplier circuit and wherein a voltage across the collector terminal of the first transistor and the emitter terminal of the first transistor controls a quiescent current of the output stage circuit.
 18. The method claim 17 wherein the Vbe multiplier circuit includes a voltage dependent resistor.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising a zero crossing circuit including an input terminal and an output terminal wherein the input terminal of the zero crossing circuit is coupled to an output terminal of the output stage circuit and wherein the output terminal of the zero crossing circuit is coupled to a first terminal of a switch. 